This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah Sports Commission's job is to promote the state and boost the economy by bringing events to Utah. Among the effects of its efforts in 2016 is a widening definition of "sports."
As events keep coming to the state this summer, the variety is stunning. Some of them are designed more as spectator events than others, but there's certainly something for just about everyone's interests. And between now and mid-August, the Utah Sports Commission is citing estimated economic impact of more than $44 million from the events it helped attract to the state by partnering with host venues and the organizations.
Here's what is coming: Action sports, UFC, soccer, basketball, golf, rodeo, rugby and cycling — not even counting the 20 sports of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, with competition mainly at the Salt Palace Convention Center, which began on Monday.
I've been known to underestimate the Utah Sports Commission's impact around here. Sometimes, I just have to look at its calendar to recognize how much this group does to bring in events. The level of its involvement varies, from providing financial support to the Utah Jazz Summer League and sponsoring the Web.com Tour's Utah Championship, but the overall effect is making these events available to Utahns, exposing the contestants to the state and generating publicity for Utah.
Everywhere you look this summer, something is happening.
• The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which run through Saturday, Salt Palace. Bobsledding will become an exhibition sport this year in the 36th annual program for U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition.
• The USA Women's Rugby Super Series, Friday and July 5 and 9 at the Regional Athletic Complex. The U.S. team will oppose Canada, England and France.
• The Utah Jazz Summer League, July 4-5 at Vivint Smart Home Arena and July 7 at the Huntsman Center. Philadelphia, (likely featuring No. 1 NBA draft pick Ben Simmons), Boston and San Antonio will join the Jazz's summer entry with nightly doubleheaders.
• The Nitro World Games, July 16 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Marketed as the biggest event in action sports history, the competition will include motocross and BMX riders and other contestants doing bold tricks.
• Real Salt Lake vs. Inter Milan, July 19 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. Ten years after Real Madrid's visit, RSL hosts another well-known European club.
• The Web.com Tour's Utah Championship, July 21-24 at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. The state's only PGA Tour-brand golf event, being played in the state for the 25th time, is back at Thanksgiving Point for the second year.
• The Days of '47 Rodeo, July 19-23 at Vivint Smart Home Arena. One of Utah's traditional Pioneer Days events returns to Salt Lake City.
• The Tour of Utah, Aug, 1-7, starting in Zion Canyon and finishing in Park City. Event organizers keep expanding the tour to various parts of Utah, while keeping the traditional ending on Park City's Main Street. The Utah Sports Commission cites a $22 million estimated economic impact from the Tour of Utah.
• UFC Fight Night, Aug. 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Ultimate Fighting Championship comes to Utah for the first time.
• The USA Swimming Western Zones Championship, Aug. 9-12, Kearns Oquirrh Fitness Center. The top regional swimmers in senior and age group levels will come from several western states.
Twitter: @tribkurt